Ellipsograph



Nov. 3, 1970 c. W..KACMARCY 3,537,182

ELLIPSQGRAPH Filed March 25, 1969 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTUR. CHARLES M finc'mecv BY ('A B0 THE/e5 ('A B0 THE/as H/sAr ram/Ens Nbv. 3, 1970 c. w. KAcMARcY ELLIPSOGRAPH Filed March 25, 1969 [will Y.5 mm R Z m r w M Q WW. w

M. R Mm d H m H/s A T ram/E Y5 United States Patent Oflice Patented Nov. 3, 1970 3,537,182 ELLIPSOGRAPH Charles W. Kacmarcy, P.0. Box 262, Franklin, Pa. 16323 Filed Mar. 25, 1969, Ser. No. 810,152 Int. Cl. B41i 11/04 U.S. Cl. 33-30 19 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An ellipsograph with an open base having spaced locked bars with opposed parallel grooves supporting the rim of a rotary annulus having a diametral guide supporting a stylus slide adjustably positioned therealong, and a transverse bridge guide having abutments adjustably positioned along the spaced locked bars which may be in the form of an open rectangle base. The bridge guide receives a pivot mounted on a second slide adjustably positioned along a diametral guide on the annulus at a level above the stylus to control the movement of the latter when the wheel is rotated to draw circular, annular and elliptical configurations.

An ellipsograph for scribing multi-sizes of ellipses including other configurations such as circles having a generally rectangular frame member with opposed parallel grooves in two sides thereof for supporting for rotation the rim of a torque wheel with a diametral guide supported within the annulus to support a stylus slide member adjustably positioned therealong, and a transverse bridge guide secured to abutments or stands integral with the frame member which receives a pivot supported from a second slide member which is also adjustably positioned along a diametral guide on the torque wheel at a level or plane above the stylus slide member to control the movement of the stylus when the annulus is rotated within the opposed grooves while being pivoted from the bridge guide to scribe circular and elliptical configurations of any desired diameter or major and minor axes, respective ly, within the limits of the frame member.

PRIOR ART There are many types of ellipsographs disclosed in the prior art.

One group employs pivotal guide slots to control both pivots for the major and minor axes of the ellipse to be drawn: 296,100, Abbott, Apr. 1, 1884; 1,021,582, Dzierwa Mar. 20, 1912; 1,470,168, Iepsen, Oct. 9, 1923; 1,601,779; Thompson, Oct. 5, 1926; 1,837,912, Mann, Dec. 22, 1931; 2,841,873, Bell, July 8, 1958.

The second group provide cranks: 520,003, Lehner, May 15, 1894; 1,017,287, Gran et 211., Feb. 13, 1912; 2,458,208, Ruger, J an. 4, 1949; 2,879,596, Kroenlein, Mar. 31, 1959; 3,065,545, Thompson, Nov. 27, 1962; 3,167,863, Komorowski, Feb. 2, 1965; Machine Designpages 173- 4, June 20, 1968.

The following is the gear control: 3,114,974, Braginetz, Dec. 24, 1963.

The latter patent limits the relation of the minor to the major axis to one half of the diameter of the sun pinion gears.

None of these structures disclose the simple and readily manipulatable ellipsograph structure of the present invention.

' SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The principal object of this invention is to provide an ellipsograph simple in construction as compared to prior art embodiments with only one major moving element to scribe the configuration desired.

Another object of this invention is the provision of an ellipsograph that will trace a closed configuration within locked parallel, opposed grooves in the side of a frame or base member, the spacing of the sides of which determines that largest minor axis of an ellipse that can be drawn. The larger the ellipse required, the wider the spacing between the locked opposed grooves as well as the larger the annulus required to permit the rim to roll in slidable engagement in the locked opposed grooves. The opposed grooves may be spaced ridgedly by a typing bridge or the ends of the base member may be secured by end members to form a centrally open rectangle. The rim of the annulus that supports the stylus member is guided within the opposed grooves and a pivot slide mernher also supported on a diametral guide supported by the annulus is pivotally secured to a transverse bridge guide supported from the frame member. The pivot slide member is adjustably positioned along the length of the diametral guide.

The annulus carries a stylus slide having a stylus which is preferably adjustably positioned along a second diamtral guide supported by the annulus. This may be the same diameter of the annulus that the pivot member abovementioned travels but the latter can be positioned at the the same or at an upper level or plane compared to that of the stylus slide. The stylus would then be positioned in a plane below the pivot member slide. They should not interfere with each other and they may be locked in an adjustable position along the great diameter of the ellipsograph annulus.

This ellipsograph is readily operated by selecting the proper axes and coordinates and adjusting the above mentioned slides on their diametral guides. After proper adjustment and securance of the slides, the wheel is rotated to trace the selected closed configuration. There are no mechanical limitations in the instrument. If a large ellipse is desired a larger frame or base member with the opposed grooves together with a larger annulus can be provided.

In everyday drafting practice in industry, the draftsman often encounters the necessity of drawing an ellipse. Drawing boards are usually tilted often at steep angles and even many times vertically. An ellipsograph to be of any practical use necessarily must be a two hand operated device. The tilted drawing board and even a flat horizontal board immediately requires one hand of the operator to hold the frame or base member of the ellipsograph. This leaves the other hand to operate the instrument and, in this instance, rotate the ellipsograph wheel. Ellipsographs of the prior art either require two hands to steady and hold fast the instrument where tilted boards are involved and a majority of such prior art ellipsographs require two hands to manipulate to scribe the configuration. Thus, the instrument comprising the present invention is highly desirable for use with modern tilted drawing boards of today.

Another principal object of this invention is the provision of an ellipsograph where upon two simple rapid and accessible adjustments of slide members supported on diametral guides within a rotary annulus, which itself is supported Within the frame member, can be precisely made to draw the desired configuration upon rotation of the annulus after the frame member has been aligned on the proper axis or coordinates of the configuration to be drawn. Varying downward pressure may be applied by the operator to the wheel as it is rotated in accordan e with the weight of the line desired to be drawn. As such, the line of the configuration may be dotted and this is easily performed by providing that the stylus will be normally biased by spring means in an upward position so that intermittent downward pressure may be applied by the operator. By the same token, such spring means aids in maintaining the stylus or scriber off of the drawing paper while adjustments are being made to the slide members supported on the ellipsograph wheel. Also such a spring means gives flexibility to the stylus, particularly a graphite or lead stylus, so that the drawing of the configuration is not interrupted even though the graphite or lead is caused to continuously wear away due to use.

The fact that there is only one major pivot point which is at the pivot slide member, provides for an ellipsograph of minimum wearing parts having long accurate instrument life.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a large torsion ring or wheel to reduce the force required to turn the same within the opposed slots of the base or frame member and to provide for improved smooth operation and better precision in the use of the ellipsograph. The amount of torque required to rotate the annulusremains substantially constant no matter the size or extent of the ellipse being drawn.

Another object comprising this invention is the provision of an ellipsograph with a minimum number of parts for proper operation as compared to prior art embodiments without sacrificing accuracy and yet providing better visibility of the configuration drawing process and its progress.

Another important object of the present invention is the provision of a highly stable ellipsograph instrument for drawing various desired configurations accurately within the maximum and minimum limits of the instrument as determined by the size of the frame or base member thereof. Since the frame or base member is of larger extent than the configuration being drawn, together with the fact that the frame member of the ellipsograph itself are relatively in a low plane as compared to other prior known ellipsograph instruments, the stability of the ellipsograph is very high, increasing its accuracy of operation over such known instruments.

Another important object of the present invention is the provision of an ellipsograph instrument capable of drawing complete ellipses within one revolution of the annulus, the range of ellipses that can be drawn being from an ellipse of zero degree (a straight line) to an ellipse of a maximum of 90 degrees (a true circle).

Another object of this invention is the provision of a stylus keeper or clamp which is provided in an easily accessible area of the ellipsograph for easy removal of the stylus for sharpening and replacement.

Since a draftsman must draw a multitude of scales, such as one inch to the foot, one and one-half inches to the foot, quarter size; half size, full size, etc., ellipsographs with scales for stylus setting add frustrating confusion to the task of accurate adjustment unless such an instrument be provided with all the scales a draftsman may need, which, of course, would be impractical. The ellipsograph of the present invention provides for an instrument where the setting of the stylus need be made only at the maximum limits of the major and minor axes of the ellipse to be drawn, these axes having been placed upon the paper with their maximum major and minor limits of the ellipse marked on the axes. With two proper adjustments made of the stylus in relation to these two limits an accurate ellipse can be easily drawn.

Other objects and advantages appear hereinafter in the following description and claims.

The accompanying drawings show, for the purpose of exemplification without limiting the invention or the claims thereto, certain practical embodiments illustrating the principles of this invention wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the ellipsograph with parts being broken away.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional end view along the line 2 2 of the structure shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken along the longitudinal axis of the instrument.

FIG. 4 is a view in front elevation of the frame showing the scribe mark of the transverse axis with parts broken away.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view showing the relative positions of the scriber and, the pivot in their respective slides taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged detailed view of the scriber slide with the scriber in place.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a modified form of the invention with parts broken away.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line 88 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a detailed sectional view taken along line 9 9 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of another modified form of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a transverse sectional view of the structure shown in FIG. 10 taken along the line 1111 of that figure.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged detailed view of the pivot member shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged sectional view of the stylus slide shown in FIGS. 10 and l 1.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 8 but modified with respect to the securance of the diametral guide rod of the ellipsograph.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the ellipsograph comprises a base with opposed parallel grooves such as an open rectangular base or frame 1 having a major axis indicated at 2 and a minor axis indicated at 3. Vertical scribe lines are inscribed on the outer surface of the frame 1 as indicated at the four cardinal points 4, 5, 6 and 7. The cardinal points 4 and 5 providing the major axis 2 and the cardinal scribe lines 6 and 7 defining the minor axis 3. On the inside of the frame 1 the major axis is also scribed as indicated at 4' and 5. The minor axis scribe line 7 is also indicated in FIG. 4.

The open center of the rectangular base or frame 1 is indicated at 8 and each of the corners are rounded. The longitudinal parallel sides of the rectangular frame 1 are provided with opposed guide means in the form of the inturned flanges 10 and 11 containing the respective slots 12 and 13 which receive complementary circumferential guide means in the form of the annular rim 14 of the annulus 9 that is provided with sufficient clearance to permit the annulus to readily slide and roll back and forth in the slots 12 and 13. The annulus 9 comprises two main sections, the wheel 15 and the upper ring 40, the latter of which is mentioned in more detail later. The frame 1 is preferably made of a metal such as aluminum whereas the annulus 7, particularly the wheel 15 is preferably constructed of plastic material that has the properties of durability and a slightly greasy surface to touch, which plastics are well known on the market.

The underside of the frame or base member 1 is provided at its corners with antifrictional inserts 16, as indicated in FIG. 2, which extend slightly below the undersurface of the frame and create a frictional engagement button or plug that will retain the frame on the drawing paper and permit it to be inched along to be properly aligned relative to the axes indications. It will also be noted that the opposed grooves 12 and 13 are cut through one end of the frame 1 and the left end of the base or frame 1 may be milled as indicated at 17 to pass the wheel 15 to be positioned beneath channel members 23.

I The annular rim 14 has a snug slip fit in the grooves 12 and 13.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the base 1 is provided with upstanding supports 20 and 21 centered on the transverse miner axes 3. The tops of these are milled to connectingly receive the disposed inverted channel member 23 which is secured thereto and provides the guide for the pivot member 41 which, in turn, forms the pivot point for the selected ellipse.

Referring to 'FIGS. 2 and 5, the wheel 15 has an upwardly extending abutment 24 as shown at the left end of FIGS. 2 and 5 in the form of an open arch having a top cross member 23 integrally connected with the vertical parallel post members 26. The outer face 29 of this abutment 24 is arcuate. It should be noted in FIG. that the ring 40, to be explained later, is not connected to the abutment 24 but has an integral bracket member 38 slidably guidable up and down between the post members 26.

Diametrically opposed to the abutment 24 is the upstanding abutment or support member 27 the outer face of which is also arcuate as shown in FIG. 1. The upper end of each of the abutments 24 and 27 have secured thereto the diametrical guides in the form of the parallel guide rods 30 and 31, which are secured in position by the lock rings 32 on the inner face of each of the abutments. The lock rings engaged within annular grooves cut in the rods 30 and 31. The ends of the rods have a sliding fit within the openings prepared in the abutments 24 and 27.

The upwardly extending abutment 27 has secured to its inner face near its bottom the bracket member 33 which is preferably made of material that will permit it to spring such as a spring type metal or flexible plastic material. The bracket 33 has a lug 34 which is provided with spaced bores to slidably receive the ends of the guide rods 35 and 36. Nuts 37 are applied to the rods 35 and 36 to secure the same to the lug 34 of the spring bracket 33 as shown in FIG. 2. However, it should be noted that any other type of fastening means can be utilized to properly fasten the rods 35 and 36 to the lug 34. In lieu of fastening devices, such as pins, screws, nuts or snaprings, glue, ultrasonic plastic or metal welding may be used as a means of fastening.

The opposite ends of the rods 35 and 36 are slidably received in the holes at 39 in bracket member 38 that protrudes inwardly and downwardly from the ring or wheel 40. The bracket member 38 and wheel 40 may be integral and are preferably made of metal such as aluminum. The perimeter of the wheel is preferably knurled so that it may be readily rotated to operate the scriber stylus 43. The ring 40 is thus a part of the annulus 9 in that it is supported from the wheel 15 by the support member 27. The ring 40 and its depending bracket 38 may be depressed downwardly at the left end as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, thus flexing the bracket 33 to lower that end of the lower set of the guide rods 35 and 36 positioned in the bracket member 38 for the purpose of lowering on the stylus 43 on the rods 35 and 36 to engage and mark the paper as the ring 40 is being rotated to scribe the circular or annulus or elliptical configuration.

The guide rods 30 and 31 are on an upper plane or level as compared to that of the lower guide rods 35 and 36. Each pair of guide rods are in alignment horizontally and the rods 30 and 31 respectively are vertically aligned with the rods 35 and 36. However, the guide rods 30 and 31 can be constructed to be in closer proximity to one another as compared to the lower guide rods 35 and 36 so provide additional space for an operators fingers in making adjustments of the stylus slide 41 along the rods 35 and 36.

Each of the pairs of rods 30 and 31; 35 and 36 form a diametrical guide for the purpose of carrying slides. The lower or stylus slide 41 asshown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5 is supported on the rods 35 and 36 which are in horizontal alignment. Each of these diametrical guides support their own slide independently of each other. The stylus slide 41 has transverse openings to slidably receive the rods 35 and 36 and a locking screw post 42 is provided in the slide 41 to secure the same to the rod 35 and thus selectively fix the stylus 43 at a position on the diametrical guide. A stylus clamping device 44 is secured through the slide 41 to hold the stylus 43- in position. Both the stylus slide clamp components and the stylus clamp 44 are illustrated in detail in FIG. 6. As can be seen in this figure, the stylus clamping device 44 comprises the stud 69 which locks the stylus 43 within the opening 49 upon tightening the knurled nut member The upper or pivot slide 45 is provided with openings to slidably receive the rods 30 and 31. A thumb set screw 46 is employed to secure the slide 45 to the rod 31 and thus selectively fix the position of the upwardly extending pivot 47. The pivot in this instance is a mere vertical post which has a sliding fit in the downwardly open channel forming the pivot bridge or guide 23.

As shown in FIG. 5 the bracket number 38 is provided with the recessed surface 79 to permit the forward edge of the stylus slide 41 to extend the limits of the stylus 43 as close as possible to the perimeter of the annulus 9 and thus give the largest limits possible for drawing a configuration for a given size frame 1 and annulus 9.

In using the ellipsograph, one must first properly align the coordinates of the major and minor axes 2 and 3 of the ellipse or other configuration to be drawn with the proper coordinate markings 4 to 7 or 4, 5. Two adjustments are required to the instrument. To accomplish these adjustments, first the wheel 40 is positioned as shown in FIG. 1 so that the diametral guides are in parallel alignment with the minor axis 3. Then, the stylus slide member 41 is moved along its guide rods 35 and 36 until the stylus is accurately positioned over the maximum limit or point of the minor axis 3 of the ellipse to be scribed. The slide member is then clamped to the rod 35.

Secondly, the clamp 46 of the pivot slide member 45 is then loosened and the torque wheel 40 is rotated either way and is adjusted so that stylus 43 is positioned over the maximum limit or point of on the major axis 2 of the ellipse to be scribed. The clamp 46 is then tightened. It should be understood that the adjustment on the major axis is normally accomplished in a manner that the whole wheel assembly is moved between the opposed grooves of the frame member 1. The clamp 42 of the stylus slide 41 is remained fixed so that the previous positioning over the minor axis 3 of this slide member is maintained. The ellipsograph is now set to scribe the required outline of the ellipse with the stylus passing through the two set limits or points on the axes 2 and 3 with the exactness required by the operator holding the instrument down on the drawing paper.

The thumb screws 42 and 46 which lock the respective slides 41 and 45 are loosened to permit these slides to properly align the principal pivot 47 and the stylus 43 to the dimensions of the ellipse or desired configuration to be drawn. At this time the set screws 42 and 46 are secured to their respective diametral guide rods 35 and 31 to fix the pivot and the stylus, respectively, in the proper position to produce the desired configuration. The ring 40 of the annulus '9 is then grasped by the hand and rotated whichever direction the operator wishes and at the same time a slight downward pressure is exerted towards the free end which is the end carrying the bracket 38 beneath the ring 40. This will allow the stylus 43 on the rods 35 and 36, pivoted from bracket member 33, to descend approximately A or of an inch to engage the paper. The distance of descent to the paper is dependent upon the extension of the stylus 43 from the holder slide 41 as well as its position along the guide rods 35 and 36. At the same time of applying the downward pressure, the ring 40 is turned with the fingers, the stylus will scribe the proper and desired ellipse or other configuration as the pivot and the ring guiding the stylus are set at the proper coordinates.

If the pivot 47 is positioned on its diametral guides adjacent the abutment 24 and the stylus 43 is positioned on the guide rods between the pivot and the perimeter of the ring 40 adjacent the support member 27, it will be noted that the stylus will trace a counterclockwise movement on the paper where, for example, an ellipse is being scribed, while moving the ring 40 in a clockwise direction. I

The same will be true if the stylus is positioned between the center 48 and the pivot 47 at the opposite end of the diametral guides and the stylus will still move in a counterclockwise direction when the 'wheel is being rotated in a clockwise direction.

If the point of pivot 47 is positioned to be midway of the channel member 23 at the center 48, the stylus 43 positioned on its guide rods on either side of the center 48 will scribe a circle, the radius of which is the distance between the stylus 43 and the center 48.

If the pivot 47 is moved a small distance either way away from the center 48 but closer to the position of the stylus 43, an ellipse will be drawn with the major axis along the minor axis 3 of the rectangular base frame 1. In this case the ring 40 upon rotation in a clockwise direction will move the stylus in a clockwise direction.

On the other hand, if the point of pivot 47 is positioned on one side of the center 48 and the stylus 43' is positioned on the opposite side of the center 48, the ring 40 upon clockwise rotation will rotate the stylus also in a clockwise position regardless of their respective positions, the stylus scribing an ellipse having its major axis on the axis 2.

Inthe most common use of the ellipsograph for drawing various sizes of ellipses, the stylus slide and the upper slide 45 will be adjusted and positioned as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5. I

It can readily be seen from the foregoing that the slides can be relatively positioned along their respective guide rods to accurately produce various desired sizes and shapes of ellipses as well as a group of different diametral sized circles upon two simple adjustments. There is no known ellipsograph that can produce accurately so many sizes of different kinds of elliptic configurations through two simple adjustments of the slides 41 and 45.

Referring now to a modified form of the structure shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, the open rectangular base 50 is provided with the longitudinal members having the inturned opposed flanges 51 forming the grooves 52 and 53 and, thus, comprises the oppositely opposed guide means. At the center of the longest side of the rectangular base frame 50 is provided the upstandingposts 54 and 55 which carry the pivot bridge guide 56 extending over the instrument and, in this instance in the form of a guide rod secured to the upper end of the posts 54 and 55 with suitable fastening means 101. V

The diametral pivot guide in this instance is in the form of the guide rods 57 and 58 which are parallel with each other and slidably extend into openings 100 in the opposite abutments 60 in the annulus 61, the wheel rim '62 of which forms complementary guide means extends in the opposed slots 52 and 53 in the open rectangular base 50. As shown in FIG. 7 set screws 59 secure the rods 57 and 58 in one abutment 60. The annulus 61 may have an outer knurled surface to be gripped by the operator for rotation within the grooves 52. and 53.

The rim 62 of the annulus 61 is permitted to slidably roll in the opposed grooves 52 and '53 in the sides of the open rectangular base 50 in order to readily slide therein when rotated.

It should be noted that the slots 52 and 53 are larger in width than the rim 62 so that the stylus 71 will contact the paper upon which the configuration is to be scribed upon application of downward pressure by the operator on the ring 61. The amount of pressure applied is determinative of the weight of line desired by the operator. Al- I though not shown, a spring means in the form of a spring annulus secured to the bottom of the rim 62 may be applied to normally bias the annulus 61 in an upward position as depicted in FIG. 8.

The diametral guide rods 57 and '58 carry the pivot slide member 63 which is secured in its adjusted position by means of the set screw member 64. The pivot member itself is rotatably mounted at 65 and is provided with a transverse opening .102 to receive the bridge guide member 56 as shown in FIG. 9.

In like manner, the guide rods 66 and 67, forming the second diametral guide, are slidably mounted in openings 100 in the opposed abutments 68 and secured by set screws 103 and lie in the same horizontal plane as the rods 57 and 58 but on the opposite sides of the transverse minor axis 3 as shown in FIG. 7. Thus all of the guide rods are secured in the opposed abutments 60 in the same horizontal plane. However, the pivot member 65 is positioned so it lies in the great diameter of the annulus 61.

The arcuate cut-out 114 may be provided between the pairs of abutments 60 and 68 to permit the stylus 71 to be extended further within the limits of the wheel 61 to draw larger configurations.

The stylus slide 70 which carries the stylus 71 secured pivot slide member 63 and the stylus 71 are supported in the great diameter of the annulus 61 even though their respective guide rods which support the slides 63 and 70 are positioned on opposite sides of the axis 3 as compared to the previously embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 6.

Referring to FIGS. 10 to 13 inclusive, the open rectangular base or frame member 74 is provided with the parallel longitudinal sides 76 having flanges with upstanding wall sections 104 and integral at one end with the end 75 but closed and secured at its other end by the end member 77 which is secured to the ends of the sides 76 by fastening means as indicated at 105 in FIG. 10.

At the minor axis 3, the frame 74 is provided with the upwardly extending posts 78 from the sides 104 for rigidly supporting the transverse bridge guide 80 which is in the form of a rod as shown in FIG. 10. As shown in FIG. 11, the rim of the annulus 81 is provided with an annular groove 106 forming the complementary circumferential guide means to receive the flanges 107 of the sides '76 :which form the opposed guide means of the frame member 74. The annulus 81 is positioned on the flange 107 before the end 77 is secured in place. This annulus 81 is preferably constructed of a clear plastic so that one can observe the drawing through the annulus 81 and has secured to its lower surface the annular bearing ring 82 to engage the paper. At the upper surface of the annulus 81 is the ring 83, which has the bottomflange 108 and thus forms, with the bearing ring 83, the groove 106. The top of the ring 83 of the annulus 81 may be knurled at 110 for rotation by the operator.

The annulus 81 is provided with a transverse diametral guide open slot 84 the under portion of which is enlarged as indicated in FIG. 13 at 85. This slot carries a pivot guide post member 86, the outer cylindrical surface of which is threaded to receive the knurled nut 87. As shown in FIG. 12 post member 86 has a threaded sleeve 89* to receive the pivot post 88' the bottom end of which is provided with an enlarged head 90 and the upper end is provided with a transverse opening 91 to receive the dianietrical bridge guide rod member 80. The pivot post 88 has a bottom flange 111 and being loosely held within the slot 84 may be secured in its proper selected position by tightening the nut 87 on the sleeve 89 to secure the same in the slot 84. However, the post 88 is permitted to retate within the sleeve 89 so that the post 88 may freely rotate from the guide member 80. Thus the pivot guide post member 86 may be adjustably positioned along the slot 84 On top of the wheel member 81.

A stylus slide member 92 is cut to fit the grooves 84 and as illustrated in FIG. 13 and is provided with a frusto conical central opening as illustrated at 93 to receive a stylus in the form of the pencil 94. A locking post and nut 95 is provided on the slide member 92 to secure the same in a selective position along the slot 8-4 as is the case for the pivot guide post member 86. The bottom of the frame sides 76 is extended at 96 to engage the paper and hold the instrument steady. However the annulus 81 is provided with clearance in its annular groove 106 to permit its annular bearing ring 82 to also engage the paper to steady the operation of the instrument when rotating the annulus 81 to draw the configuration. The underside of the center portion of the annulus 81 as illustrated in FIG. 11 is raised by the bearing 82 so that the underside of the face of the annulus 81 will not contact the paper and becomes scored and :will ride in spaced relation over the top of the paper while the bearing ring 82 engages the paper.

The structure shown in FIGS. to 13 is a simplified and inexpensive form of applicants invention although the pivot and the stylus cannot be positioned on the opposite side of each other unless they are repositioned in the slot 84, but the principal of operation is the same as that of the other embodiments comprising this invention. The stylus 92 may be provided with an additional extension .112 having a stylus opening 113 to aid in minimizing the amount of adjustment necessary to the stylus slide member 92. This structure is substantially as flexible in use as the previously described structures and is materially less expensive to construct.

Referring again to the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8, a further modification is to be noted in FIG. 14. In this connection reference is made to FIG. 7 wherein the open rectangular base frame 50 is provided with a series of threaded sockets 97 around the complete perimeter thereof including the sides and ends and each of the four cardinal points 4 to 7 represent the major and minor axes 2 and 3. The guide support posts 54 and 55 on opposite sides of the open rectangular base frame are threadably secured in the sockets 97 as shown in FIG. 14 to permit the transverse bridge guide member 56 in the form of a rod to be disposed at an angle other than 90 or in parallel relationship to each of the major and minor axes 2 and 3. This requires that the bridge guide in the form of the rod 56 should be longer in length as indicated at 115 than that which is necessary for the full length along the major axis 2 at the ends of the rectangular base member. Each post 54 and 55 is provided with a head member 98 carrying a set screw 99 so that when the post members 54 and 55 are suitably positioned in the proper selected threaded sockets 97, the thumb screws 99 may be tightened to properly adjust the rod to the convenience of the user. Since the rod passes through the pivot member 65, many other different kinds of classes and types of annular and circular and elliptical configurations may be constructed upon changing the location of the posts 54 and 55. The ellipse may then be drawn in a perspective view wherein each of the four quadrants may be different but the diagonal quadrants of the ellipse may match. In fact a mere section of any desired configuration can be made. If desired, a suitable number of posts 54 and 55 may be provided in prelocated threaded sockets to conveniently construct different odd configuations.

I claim:

1. A11 ellipsograph having a frame member with oppositely disposed parallel sides in a common plane having oppositely opposed guide means thereon for slidably guiding therealong a rotatable annulus having complementary circumferential guide means, a diametral guide secured to and across said annulus, a stylus slide member adjustably securable along the length of said diametral guide, a stylus adjustably positioned on said stylus slide member, a transverse bridge guide attached to upstanding supports secured from said frame member sides, a second diametral guide secured to and across said annulus, a second slide member adjustably securable along the length of said second diametral guide and having a pivot guide pivotally engaged with said transverse bridge guide thereabove for slidable engagement therealong to cooperate with said stylus slide member to control the path of movement of said stylus in scribing a configuration upon rotation of said annulus.

2. The ellipsograph of claim 1 characterized in that said annulus includes a wheel having said complementary circumferential guide means, a ring secured by a first hinge means to a vertical support member from said wheel with said ring coaxially aligned relative to said wheel, second hinge means on said support member to carry one end of said stylus diametral guide, a bracket member to carry the other end of said stylus diametral guide and secured to said ring, said first and second hinge means to permit said stylus together with said ring to be lowered to engage an underlying surface and subscribe a configuration upon concurrent rotation of said ring.

3. The ellipsograph of claim 1 characterized by flexible means carried by said annulus to permit lowering of said stylus to engage an underlying surface and mark a tracking of a preadjusted configuration.

4. The ellipsograph of claim 1 characterized by spring means to urge said stylus to trace a configuration on an underlying surface.

5. The ellipsograph of claim 1 characterized by pad means on the under surface of said frame member to hold the same from slipping as said annulus is turned.

6. The ellipsograph of claim 1 characterized by parallel guide rods forming said first and second diametral guides.

7. The ellipsograph of claim 1 characterized in that said upstanding supports for said transverse bridge guide are adjustably positioned around said frame member to disposed said transverse bridge guide at difierent angles relative to the longitudinal axis of said frame member to vary the scribed configurations.

8. The ellipsograph of claim 1 characterized by a locking means mounted in each of said slide members to engage each of their respective diametral guides to adjustably position its respective slide member to retain said stylus and said second slide member pivot guide in a fixed relation relative to one another.

9. The ellipsograph of claim 1 characterized in that said second slide member carrying said pivot guide is supported above said stylus slide member to retain said pivot guide and stylus in the same vertical diametral plane in their respective adjusted positions along said diametral guide and to operate relative to each other on opposite sides of the center of said annulus.

10. The ellipsograph of claim 1 characterized by a vertical upwardly extended post fixed to said pivot slide member to provide said pivot guide, and a downwardly open channel to receive said post to provide said transverse bridge guide.

11. The ellipsograph of claim 1 characterized by a vertical upwardly extended post having a transverse opening and secured to said pivot slide member to provide said pivot guide, and a rod extending through said opening to provide said bridge pivot guide.

12. An ellipsograph comprising a frame member, oppositely opposed longitudinal slots in the longest parallel sides of said frame member, an annulus having an annular n'm slidably receivable in said frame longitudinal slots to permit said annulus to slidably rotate within said slots, support guide means substantially diametrally across said annulus, stylus slide member and pivot slide member adjustably securable on said support guide means, a stylus in said stylus slide member, a transverse bridge guide supported from said frame member, said pivot slide member pivotally engaged with said transverse bridge guide thereabove for slidable engagement therealong to cooperate with said stylus slide member to control the path of movement of said stylus in scribing a configuration upon rotation of said annulus.

13. The ellipsograph of claim 12 characterized in that said transverse bridge guide comprises a downwardly open channel, and a ventically extending pivot guide pivotally 1 l engaged within said transverse bridge guide channel there above for slidable engagement therealong to cooperate with said stylus slide member to control the path of movement of said stylus in scribing la configuration upon rotation of said annulus.

14. The ellipsograph of claim 13 characterized in that said annulus includes a ring member secured in horizontal axially aligned relation above a second ring member having annular lip slidably receivable in said frame longi tudinal slots to permit said annulus to slidably rotate therein, said stylus slide member slidably receivable on a support guide, said support guide supported diametrically within said upper ring member, pivotal means at the point of securing of said upper ring member relative to said second ring member to permit the former to pivot downwardly so that said stylus engages the surface upon which the configuration is to be drawn.

15. The ellipsographof claim 14 characterized in that said support guide includes a second support guide supported from said second ring member to slidably receive said pivot slide member.

16. The ellipsograph of claim 12 characterized in that said stylus slide member comprises .a body having a transverse opening to receive said stylus, a stylus clamping device received in a side opening in said stylus slide member extending into said body opening and having at one end a transverse hole through which said stylus passes, threaded means on the other end of said stylus clamping device to secure said stylus against the surface of said body transverse opening.

17. The ellipsograph of claim 12 characterized in that said annulus is a transparent disk, said support guide means comprises a diametral slot in said disk, said stylus slide member and said pivot slide member slidable positioned to permit said stylus to be inserted therethrough and en- 12 gage the surface upon which the configuration is to be drawn.

' 18. An ellipsograph having a frame member-with oppositely disposed parallel sides in a common plane having oppositely opposed guide means thereon for slidably guiding therealong a rotatable annulus having complementary circumferential guide means,'support guide means substantially diametrically across said annulus, stylus slide member had pivot slide member adjustably securable on said support guide means, a stylus on said stylus slide member, a transverse bridge guide supported from said frame member sides, said pivot slide member having a pivot guide pivotally engaged with said transverse bridge guide thereabove for slidable engagement therealong to cooperate with said stylus slide member to control the path of movement of said stylus in scribing a configuration on rotation of said annulus.

'19. The ellipsograph of claim 18 characterized in that said annulus is a transparent disk, said support guide means comprising a diametral slot in said disk, said stylus slide member and said pivot slide member slidably positioned within said slot, an aperture in said stylus slide member to permit said stylus to be inserted therethrough and engage the surface upon which the configuration is to be drawn.

' References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 520,003 5/1894 Lehner. 532,155 1/1895 Hottinger t 33-3 1 3,167,863 '2/ 1965 Komorowski et al.

FOREIGN PATENTS 344,565 3/1960 Switzerland.

HARRY N. HAROIAN, Primary Examiner 

